The Rental Housing Investment Act provides tax incentives to encourage the development of new long-term residential rental properties in the United States. It allows developers to take an accelerated depreciation deduction of up to $150,000 per unit for buildings containing at least two dwelling units, with an increased limit of $250,000 per unit for projects designated as affordable housing. To ensure these properties remain available for rent, the bill includes rules that require the buildings to be used for rental purposes for at least 10 years, or 15 years for affordable housing, before the tax benefits are recaptured. These changes apply to properties placed in service after a 12-month delay following the law's enactment.
The Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026 allows independent musicians and small music businesses to collectively negotiate licensing terms with large online music streaming platforms without fear of antitrust lawsuits. To qualify for this protection, creators must own their own copyrights and earn less than $1 million in licensing revenue annually, while the platforms targeted must generate over $100 million in music-related revenue. The law explicitly permits these groups to coordinate on pricing and licensing strategies, provided the negotiations remain fair and do not involve outside parties. Additionally, the bill extends similar collective bargaining protections to negotiations with companies developing generative artificial intelligence systems.
This bill, titled the Protect Domestic Oil and Gas Small Business Act of 2026, exempts small oil and gas wells from specific environmental regulations under the Clean Air Act. It directly affects owners and operators of marginal wells, defined as sites producing 15 barrels of oil or less per day, or 90,000 cubic feet of natural gas or less per day. The legislation removes requirements for monitoring, reporting, and leak detection for these smaller operations, while also mandating that the EPA approve any state plan revisions granting this exemption within 180 days. Additionally, the bill requires the EPA to update its regulations to reflect these changes and to terminate any ongoing enforcement actions against marginal wells that were initiated before the law takes effect.
The Housing for All Veterans Act of 2026 creates a new rental assistance program specifically for low-income veterans and their families. It allows these households to apply for housing vouchers through existing public housing agencies, with eligibility criteria gradually expanding from extremely low-income in 2027 to broader low-income definitions by 2031. Key provisions include counting VA disability benefits as non-income, prohibiting discrimination against voucher holders, and providing service fees to agencies to help veterans secure leases. The bill also ensures that current veterans receiving support are not affected by the new rules and that the program supplements, rather than replaces, existing housing aid.
This bill, titled the Assuring the Future of Tibet Act of 2026, expresses the sense of Congress that the Tibetan people should be recognized as a distinct group with rights to self-determination and cultural preservation. It formally acknowledges the Central Tibetan Administration as the legitimate representative of Tibetans and asserts that the Gaden Phodrang Trust holds the sole authority to recognize future Dalai Lamas. To support these positions, the legislation directs the President and Secretary of State to advocate for the Central Tibetan Administration's observer status at the United Nations and to extend appropriate diplomatic courtesies to its leaders during visits to the United States. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Secretary of State lead efforts to engage with Tibetan officials at senior levels and requires annual reports to Congress on the implementation of these diplomatic and advocacy measures.
This bill creates a new funding program to hire more school counselors, psychologists, and social workers at schools with high numbers of low-income students. It provides federal grants to states, which then distribute money to local school districts to help them meet recommended staffing ratios of 250 students per counselor and 500 students per psychologist. To receive these funds, states must contribute matching money and submit detailed plans showing how they will improve student-to-provider ratios in their highest-need schools. The program is designed to address rising mental health issues among youth by increasing access to professional support directly within the school environment.
This bill directs the U.S. Department of Education to encourage colleges and universities to create evidence-based plans for preventing suicide and improving mental health. The Department must coordinate these efforts with the Department of Health and Human Services and align them with existing federal suicide prevention programs. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Education to submit reports to Congress on these initiatives within one year and three years of enactment. Crucially, the legislation explicitly states that it does not create new legal obligations for schools or grant the Department new regulatory authority.
The EFFIE Act criminalizes knowingly signing fraudulent documents required to appear on federal election ballots. This law directly affects individuals running for federal office and their agents by making such deceptive acts a felony. Violators could face fines of up to $250,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both penalties. The legislation takes effect immediately upon enactment.
The All Students Count Act of 2026 requires schools to break down student performance data into more specific ethnic categories for Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Currently, federal education reporting only uses broad groupings, but this bill mandates that states include detailed subgroups such as Chinese, Vietnamese, Samoan, and Chamorro in their accountability systems. The law aims to provide more accurate information about the educational progress of these diverse communities by updating the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. These new data reporting requirements will take effect 18 months after the bill is enacted.
The Gambling Disorder Health Study Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct research on gambling disorder, a behavioral addiction recognized by the American Psychiatric Association. This initiative aims to fill a current gap in federal oversight by funding studies on the causes, impacts, and treatments of gambling addiction, particularly in light of recent state legalization of sports betting. The program will involve collaboration with various federal agencies, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations to analyze how different forms of gambling, including online platforms and mobile apps, affect individuals and communities. Findings from this research will be reported annually to Congress, which will then review recommendations for public health actions and policy changes. Funding for these efforts is authorized from 2027 to 2029, based on a percentage of taxes collected from gambling activities.
This bill, titled the No Presidential Self-Serving Lawsuits Act of 2026, prevents the current or former President of the United States from filing civil lawsuits against the federal government. It specifically invalidates an existing settlement agreement between a former President and the Internal Revenue Service and bars the use of federal funds to create compensation for such lawsuits. Additionally, the legislation authorizes the Treasury Secretary to recover any money already spent in violation of these new restrictions. The primary goal is to stop a President from using taxpayer money to settle legal disputes with the government they lead.
The Subpoena Abuse Prevention Act restricts how federal agencies can use administrative subpoenas to obtain phone and app records from service providers. It requires agencies to identify a specific person or account before requesting data, bans subpoenas aimed at investigating or retaliating against constitutionally protected activities like free speech, and mandates that agencies certify the subpoena's legitimate purpose. The law also allows service providers to notify customers about the subpoena and consult with lawyers, unless a court order specifically prevents such notification. Additionally, federal agencies must publicly report annually on the number of subpoenas issued and the total accounts affected.
